Ignition-controlling means



June 12, 1928.

F. S. DENISON IGNITION CONTROLLiNG MEANS F il ed- Nov. 27, 1922 Fla 2 INVENTOR FEEDER/CK dDEN/JON /7T TORNE Y6 F. S. DENISON iGNITION CONTROLLING MEANS June 12, 1928. 1, 73,063

Fi1ed'Nov.27, 1922 5/ 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N YEN TOR FREDERICK 6. DEN/SON /6. mrcwv Patented June 12, 1928.

UNITED STATES 'FREDERIOK S. DENISON, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO MINNEAPOLIS PATENT OFFICE.

HEAT REGULATOR COMPANY, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, A CORPORATION OF IGNITION-CONTROLLING MEANS.

Application filed November 27, 1922. Serial No. 603,588.

to improvements in of ignition such, for provided by a spark-plug. particularly useful in conh'eating. plans of the oil-burnin common use in the heating usual commercial city mains or otherwise,

5 purposes and it is desirable provide such light bein adapted to ignite the vaporized fuel "w en the supply thereof is turned on. In place of sucha pilot light a spark plug may be employed for ignition that the spark plug should be energized to provide the necessary sparking during an appreciable in terval in order to assure ignition of the fuel charge presented adjacent thereto. By the employment of this novel invention, the spark-plug may be energized for a predetermined period after which it ceases, such period being of sufficient duration to assure the desired ignition.

The object therefore of this invention is to i an improved ignition controlling means. I

Other objects of the invention will more fully appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the drawings, there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the objects of the invention but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined tothe exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the solenoid-controlling device for the spark-plug switch;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation thereof with part broken closing position; Figure 3 is device on the llne 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional detail View of the switch contacts on the line 44 of Figure 3; Figure 5 is a wiring diagram showing the device adapted for operation with a thermostatically controlled heating plant. V This present selected embodiment of the away to show the devicein actuable, it is preferred a sectional plan view of theinvention is shown for purposes of explanation, in conjunction with a thermostatically controlled heating plant. The novel features of such an indicated installation (with the exception of the present ignition con trol) form the subject-matter of a prior copending application by the inventor hereof, Serial No. 580,360, tiled August 7, 1922, while the use of a common form of sparkplug for ignition purposes is shown in the prior co-pending application of Harold W.

Sweatt, Serial Number 580,344, filed August 7, 1922. In the last-mentioned application, the spark-plug is constantly energized during the operation of the usual blower-motor. In this present invention, however, the spark-plug is only energized for a predetermined interval as above noted.

Broadly, this invention is directed to the employment of a spark-plug with a circuit to supply electric energy thereto and with a switch interposed in the circuit to open and close it. This switch has a movable contact and a fixed ontact which are arranged normally to rema' in circuit-closing position. A detent is rovided normally to hold the contacts in ci cuit-opening position to prevent energization of the spark-plug and means are provided momentarily to release the contacts to permit circuit-closing andto return them to circuit-opening position after a predetermined interval which assures proper ignition of a fuel. While such ignition-controlling means may be manually automatically to cause this controlling means to function, as by means of a thermostat. Such automatic functioning may be described in connection with a wiring diagram (Figure 5) after the structure and operation of this device itself has been explained.

The spark-plug 6 of any present form, is provided with two conductors 7 and 8 connecting it with the high tension side of a transformer 9, the low tension side of which has a conductor 11 connected to the lead 12 of the supply circuit to the motor 13. The lead 14 of this supply circuit has a conductor 15 connected thereto which is in electrical connection with the st 16 of the arched metallic strip 17 w ich forms the relatively close the spark-plug circuit. The relatively with the. contact button 18. While the con-.

tacts. are thus yieldably urged toward a circuit-closing position, means are employed normally to detain the -contacts, or one 0 them, in circuit-opening position. Such is the function of an annular boss 23 terminally carried on the upper end of the reduced portion 24 of a metallic'plunger 25mo1inted for reciprocable movement. This plunger is of metal and is terminallybor'ed to receive the screw 26 in threaded engagement therein whereby the boss 23 is held in its operative position so that upon descent it may engage and depress the outer end of the spring 19' and remove the cont-actbutton 18 from the strip 17 and thus break the spark-plug c ircuit; The plunger and boss are shown in such descended circuit-opening position in Figure 1. Whileanysuitabletension means may be employed to maintain the plunger normally in its descended position, it is found convenient to employ the tension of gravity for this purpose.

The plunger 25 is mounted to reciprocate within a cylinder 27 which, in conjunction with the plunger and associated arts, functions substantially as adash-pot or damping the descent of the plunger after-raising. It

is this damped descent of the plunger which provides the .desired time interval during which the spark-plug circuit may remain closed. The lower Jend of the cylinder is closed b means of the screw plug 28,- threaded to t e lower ,cylinder' end. The lower portion of the cylinder is filled with a fluid, such as oil 29 to provide the damping function. The lower portion of the plun'ger 25 is reduced to form a stem 31 terminatmgin forks 32 integral with an open ended sleeve 33. The lower edge of this sleeveforms an annular valve seat for the valve 34 having an mtegral stem 35 slidably borne in'the cylindrical hub 36 held by a plurality of radial integral arms 37 to the sleeve.

35 projects above the hub .36 and has a c01 spring- 391s held uponthe stein between the collar and the upper endof the hub. "This spr n g yieldably holds'the valve 34 in seated pos1t1on. When ascent of the plunger oc-' curs, the oil above the valved sleeve opensthe valve 34 and permits the sleeve freely to pass through the oil. vButsubsequent descent of theplunger is retarded as the valve 'tensionably resumes seated position and oil displaced by plunger descent must pass The. stem-,-

through a by-pass 40, provided-on Oneside plunger descent, may-be adjustably predetermlned by means of the needle 41 adapted adjustably to constrict the by-pass 40. This needle 41 is carried by a screw 42 received in threaded engagement within a counter.- bored aperture leading to the by;pass.

Means are provided to raise the plunger from its normal circuit-opening position shown in Figure. 1 to its ascended position in Figure 2 wherein the movable spring-carried contact button 18 is in circuit-closing engagement with the strip 17 While such plunger-raising may be otherwise effected,

the preferred means is by way of a solenoid.

The solenoid '43 is preferably mounted upon the reduced portion of the cylinder 27 adjacent its upper end so that the plunger 25 may function as an armature. The reduced upper portion 44 of the metallic cylinder forms a lining for the solenoid and is closed at its upper end by means ofthe bearing cap 45 received in threaded engagement upon the upper end of this reduced portion of the cylinder. Preferably an air vent 46 is bored in the bearing cap 45 to permlt'escape, of air and to avoid any cushioning eifect upon upward travel of the plunger. When the solenoid 43 is energized, the armature plunger 25 will be upwardly drawn to permit the contact button 18 tensionably to effect electrical engagement with the strip 17 Upon thede-energi'zation of the solenoid the armature-plunger tensionably (as here shown by force of gravity) returns ;to normal descended position, suchdescent being retarded-by the dash-pot function of the device.

In this preferred installation, as shown by the wiring diagram Figure 5,. the solenoid is energized only 'momentarily. taryenergization is conveniently effected by the apparatus shown in this inventors abovementioned prior application. ratus may now be described in conjunction with the'diagram Figure 5. but without going into greater detail-Ethan is necessaryto ex-. plain such use of the. present invention.

Broadly,. Figure"5 discloses a liquid fuel burner installation ofythe type employing a "motor-1 :13a'dapted to drive a blower 47 to lar 38 pinned thereto and a compression" 'deliverair under pressure to a burner 48 pipe so thatthe liquid fuel may be vaporlzed and'forciblyblown against the overhead tar-- get 49 and adjacent the spark-plug. 6. The

control of the motor and spark-plug cir-- a predetermined interval as above described. Furthermore, both of these twocircuits are This momene Such appa .around the open end ofa liquid fuel supply I nected to v the is preferably operable by opening coil is is normally yieldably automatical y opened by thermostatic means, while the motor circuit is also closed thermostatically.

The thermostatic control of the motor may first be explained and thereafter the control of the spark-plug circuit. Generally considered, there is'provided a switch having a pair of spaced terminals and a circuit-closer cooperable therewith to complete a circuit through such terminals. This circuit-closer means of an electrlc currentoperating through an armature and solenoids of opposite polarity. Means are provided singly to energize the solenoid coils so that the armature may be moved in a direction to effect the desired opening or closing of the switch. The means here shown for singly energizing the coils is a thermostatic device.

' The lead 12 of the motor 13 is directly conthe main line circuit while the lead 14 of the motor is connected b l nected to the side 51 of to the. other side-52 of the main line through a circuit-closer '53 and its spaced blades 50.

Thiscircuit-closer is shown in Figure 5 in closed position but is adapted to be upwardly rocked to open the motor circuit.

A convenient mode of rocking this circuitcloser both out of and into circuit-closing position is provided by means of the rock-shaft 54 which carries the circuit-closer 53. This rock-shaft is adapted to be rocked by an. armature 55 reciprocably mounted within .the alined cores adapted singly to be energized to produce opposite polarity so that the armature may be selectively moved in opposite directions. One solenoid may be referred to as the upper or circuit-closing coil 56 and the other, as the lower or circuit-opening coil 57.

The selective energization of these two coils is efiected, .in .this apparatus, by means of a thermostat. Each coil is provided with a circuit leadingto a suitable source of electric energy and each such coil-circuit is adapted to be electromagneticallyclosed or opened by the thermostat and the partsare so arranged that the upper or circuit-closing coil is energized by the cold side of a thermostat circuit while the lower or circuit the thermostatic circuit.

Each coil is provided with a circuit conmain line. has a ,wire 58 leading from the top of its winding to a contact blade 59insulated from a complementary contact blade .61 having a .wlre 62 connected to the lead 14 of the motor circuit. The lower coil also has a wire 63 leading from the bottom of its winding to .a for circuit-closing engagement below a movable armature contact operable to make-and-break this lower coil circuit. This armature-contact 65 and yieldably held out of engagement with 'connected by, the wire 73 ,pos itioned -below the armature-contact 72 of two solenoids which are 7 blade 76 electrically ins 'plementary knife blade energized by the hot side of be The lower coil 57 held out of engagement with the Contact 64 by any suitable means. The armature contact 65 is provided with a,wire 66 in electrical connection with the lead 12 of the motor. Anelectromagnet 67 is positioned beneath the arma- 7o ture-contact 65'and is adapted, upon energization by the hot side of the thermostat, to break indirectly the motor circuit, as later described. Thus, the lower coil 57 is provided with its circuit which may not only be opened and closed by means of an armature at one point but also may be opened and closed at. another point across the blades 59 and 61. The closure of this latter break is by means of a circu-i -closer 68 carried by the rock-shaft 54 and operable thereby. This circuit-closer 68 is thus cooperable with the motor circuit closer 53.

The upper coil 56 has a wire 69 leading from the bottom of its winding to a contact 71 projecting'ior circuit-closing engagement v e ow a movable armature-contact 72 operably to make'and-break this upper coil circuit. This armature-contact 72 is normally the contactv 71 by any suitable means.

The armature-contact 72 is electrically to the lead 12 of the motor circuit. An electro-magnet 74 is in order, upon energization, to draw the contact 72 to the contact 71'to close the coil circuit across'this break. The electromagnet 4 is adapted to be energized by the cold side of the thermostat in order indirectly to start 1 the motor and, it; may

be noted in passing, that the spark-plug circuit is adapted to be closed when the circuit through this upper coil 56 is closed. The wire 75 leads from the upper portion of thecoil 56 to the knife ated from the com- 7 7 connected by the wire 78 to the. mainline 52. The break across the blades 76 and 77 is adapted to be closed by a circuit-closer 79, carried, simi-- 1 larly to the circuit-closer 68, by the rockshaft 54. This circuit-closer 79 is here shown in dotted lines in order to indicate that it is not in circuit-closing position because the circuit-closer 68 is so shown, it

ing understood that these circuit-closers are oppositely moved.- That is, when circuitcloser 68 is in closing position, the circuitcloser 79-is in circuit-opening position and v ce versa.

The electromagnets 67 and 74 are adapted to be selectively energized, preferably bya thermostatic circuit. Such circuit may derive its electric energy from the motor circuit through the transformer 81. The ther- 125 mostatic circuit comprises the usual hot and cold sides with thermo-bar connection. Such a thermostat. is diagrammatically represented in Figure 5, wherein the usual thermobar '82 is electrically connected to the secondary winding of the transformer by .means of the wire 83. The hot contact 84 has a.

' wire 85 terminating in the knife blade 86 which is insulated from its complementary knife blade 87 having a wire 88runn1ng to the upper portion of the winding of the electromagnet 67 while the wire 89 runs from the plained;

- sented circuit, as follows:

"rock-shaft 54 and are similar in construction and operation to the circuit-closers 68 and 79 carried at'the opposite end of the rock-shaft..-'

Before describing the incorporation of the spark-plug circuit in this apparatus, the operation of the above parts may be first ex- In the position of the parts inFigure 5,

the apparatus is shown in'position wherein the thermo-bar 82 has previously been bent by room temperature to cause electrical contact with the hot side contact 84, whereby current may flow from the secondary winding of the transformer 81, through'the prewire 83, thermobar 82, hot contact 84, wire 85, blade 86, circuit-closer97, blade 87, wire 88, electromagnet 67, wire 89, and back to the secondary winding. ,The electromagnet 67 is thus energized with the result that the armaturecontact 65 is downwardly pulled to effect I electrical connection with the contact 64 the spaced insulated blades. 50. The motor whereby the following circuit is closed: lead 12, wire 66, armature-contact 65, contact 64, wire 63, opening-coil 57 wire 58, blade 59, circuit-closer 68, blade 61 and wire 62 to the other lead 14. Thus, the lower opening coil 57 is energized with the result that the armature 55 is inwardly pulled, -the shaft 54 rocked and the circuit-closer 53 is raised to break the lead 14 of the motor circuit at circuit is thus thermostatically opened resulting in cessation of the motor, blower, and burner functions.

The parts are re-set automatically for a call for heat by the cooling thermo-bar. As the rock-shaft raises the thermostatic circuitcloser 97 and coil circuit-closer 68,--their complementary circuit-closers 98 and 79, respectively, are moved/ to engage and close the breaks across the blades 9394 and the blades 7 6-77. Thus, when the thermo-bar. bends to engage the cold contact 91, another circuit is closed from the secondary winding mam,

electromagnet 74 is thereby energized to attract the armature contact-72 to close with the contact 71 whereby a circuit is presented of the transformer 81, through the thermo- 91, wire 92, blade 93, crrcuitfrom the main line side 51, motor lead 12,

wire 73,

wire .69, closing coil 56, wire 75, blade 76, circuit-closer 79, blade 77', wire 78 to the other main line side 52. The closing coil 56 is thus energized, the rock-shaft returned to the full-line position in Figure 5 and the motor circuit closed, and the motor, blower, and'burner function.

Turning now to the incorporation of the spark-plug circuit in this apparatus, it may be noted that, when the rock-shaft 54 is returned to its Figure 5 position, the circuitclosers 97 and 68 are likewise returned to the indicated closed position, while the circuitcloser79 is simultaneously moved by the rock-shaft to open position so that the cir-' cnit through the closing coil 56 is opened. Thus," by connecting the solenoid 43 with the circuit of this coil 56, the solenoid 43 may be energized when the coil 56 is energized to start the motor. To this end, a wire 99 isconnected to the coil wire 69 and to the winding of the solenoid 43. The other end of this winding is connected by the wire 101 to the motor lead 14. Thus, coincident With energization of the motor-starting coil 56, the solenoid 43 will be energized. Furthermore, as such energization of the coil 56 is only momentary (because its circuit is immediately .opened by the circuit-closer 79) 'so also, the energization of the solenoid is only momentary. Such momentary energization of the solenoid is sufficient to elevate the plunger 24 so that upon immediate deenergization, its timed descent may comarmature-contact 72, contact 71,

mcnce. As before described, plunger-eleva-' tion completes the spark-plug circuit so that the spark plug functions as the motor starts and is so maintained until the predetermined interval of plunger descenthas expired and the plunger has again resumed its normal position interrupting the spark-plug circuit. claim as my invention:

--1. Ignition-contro1ling means including a spark-plug, a circuit therefor connected to a source of electric energy, a switch interposed in said circuit and adapted to open and close the saine, s'aid switch having a rel- .atively fixed and a relatively movable contact, means tending to maintain the contacts in closed position, means normally to detain the contacts in open position, and means momentarily automatically operable to close the contacts and to permit return of said contacts to open position after a predetertions during said interval.

' 2. Ignition-controlling means including a spark-plug, a circuit therefor connected to a source of electric energy, a switch interposed in said circuit and adapted to open and close the same, said switch having a relatively fixed and a relatively movable contact, means tending to maintain the contacts in closed position, means normally to relatively fixed and a relatively movable con-' tact, means tending to maintain the contacts in closed position, a detent adapted normally to detain the'contacts in open position, means momentarily operable to release said detent, and means to cause the detent to return said contacts to open position after a predetermined interval whereby the sparkplug functions during said interval.

4. Ignition-controlling means including a spark-plug, a circuit therefor connected to a source of electric energy, a. switch interposed in said circuit andadaptedto open and close thesamc, said switchhaving a relatively fixed and a relatively movable contact, means tending to maintain the contacts in closed position, a'member adapted normally to maintain the contacts in open position, a solenoid adapted upon momentary energization to permit the contacts to assume closed position, means automatically to cause a momentary energization of the solenoid and means operable to return said contacts to open position after a predetermined interval.

5. Ignition-controlling means including a spark-plug and an electric circuit therefor, a switch in the circuit and adapted to open and close the same, the switch having a rela tively fixed and a relatively movable contact, a device tending to maintain the contacts closed, mechanism to engage said device and to maintain the contacts in normal open position, means to disengage said mechanism and device to permit contact-closure, means automatically operable to return said mechanism to device engaging position after a predetermined interval,. and means to regulate the length of said interval of return.

6. Ignition controlling means-including a spark plu and electric circuit therefor, a switch an circuit having a relatively fixed and a relatively movable contact, the latter tending to maintain a certain position, mechanism to abut said movable contact and maintain it normally in one position, and means to cause said mechanism to release said movable contact.

7 Ignition controlling means includin a spark plug, and an electric circuit there or, a switch and circuit having a relatively fixed and a relatively movable contact, the latter tending to maintain a certain position, mechanism to abut said movable contact and maintain it normally in one position, and means automatically operable to release the contact-abutting mechanism, at the end of a predetermined interval.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 15th day of November, 1922.

FREDERICK s. DENISON. 

